August 10, 2011 – 12:17 pm
Wet areas in a landscape can present some real challenges for getting trees to grow well. Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch can be an excellent solution, especially if you would like a tree of modest size, rather than the 40-50 foot height of a standard River Birch, or Niobe Weeping Willow.
Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch displays the same showy cinnamon/copper peeling bark as a full size River Birch, but matures to a very dense round form of 10-12 feet high and wide. Fox Valley is most often allowed to take it’s natural form as a low branched multi-stemmed clump type of ornamental tree, but does lend itself to artful pruning to allow for understory plantings of perennials and shrubs, or creation of a single stem form.
When allowed to grow into its’ natural form, Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch becomes a chubby “butter ball” with some amazing twig density that makes for good low level visual screening even in winter. The opportunity to use Fox Valley as both a focal point in the landscape and a screening tree adds an extra dimension of usefulness for this nice variety that can prosper in damp areas where other trees drown out.
We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. The weather forecast looks perfect for those wanting to do yard work. We will be here from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday, July 2nd and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, July 3rd. We will be closed on the 4th.
This year we have placed mailboxes throughout our perennial area and front display area to have a place for information on particular plants. Heidi Brosseau – our retail manager – is super creative and has decorated the tubs that hold the boxes. The picture here shows our information center in hosta sales. If you have questions on groundcovers – clematis – hosta – just check the mailboxes!
Our hours today for Memorial Day are 8 am to 5 pm.
April 22, 2011 – 10:55 am
Open Easter Sunday!! Our late spring has delayed alot of the fun in the garden, but it’s going to be a beautiful day and we’ll be here from 10 am to 4 pm. We have a full selection of trees, shrubs and perennials along with a nice assortment of annual 4-paks, veggies and even some herb planters.
Just for Easter Sunday only - we’ll have an Easter basket filled with plastic eggs containing a surprise discount for the day. Come in and pick an egg for a extra-special eggciting discount! Hop on in – we’ll be here. Discounts will be from 10% to 15% and are applicable to any plant material! (even plants that are on sale!) Discount applies only to plant material – no hardgoods, mulches or bagged product.
February 16, 2011 – 7:30 am
As the heavy snowpack begins to disappear with some of the first warm days we’ve had since late December, it’s time to allow your imagination to dream of green grass, fragrant flowers and a more beautiful and functional landscape. If part or all of the landscape around your home is uninspired, overgrown or poorly arranged, begin now to envision how you’d really like your yard to look and feel.
Think about what you really want before you discourage yourself with budget concerns. When creating a plan don’t forget to incorporate an inviting outdoor living space , a place to recharge your batteries, and a place for the activities you and your family really enjoy.
Next figure out what actually installing these landscape features will cost you. If the costs are too high, decide how to implement the changes over a period of several years, to match your cash flows. If the costs are still too high, decide how you can change some expensive elements of the project to lower priced choices. By following this sequence, you are likely to still get the majority of the look and feel you envision.
If you feel you aren’t able to design your own landscape, our landscape designer would be able to help you with advice during a site visit consultation or even create a landscape plan for your property.
I am also sharing this post on my blog spot with the Northfield News.
February 3, 2011 – 6:28 am
Today, the groundhog came out at Knecht’s Nurseries and Landscaping, and got just plain scared. Looked up at the snowpiles that have grown to 8-10 feet high, turned pale and went straight back into it’s burrow. Thought I overheard some muttering about spring, and something else about 6 weeks, but I can’t be sure since I rain chain saws and tractors too much back in my younger days.
Regardless of the psychological trauma experienced by our resident ground hog when confronted by a seemingly endless sea of white. All signs point to spring arriving in April. The driveway melts down to asphalt a little quicker than a few weeks ago, and an unheated greenhouse is downright comfortable when the sun is shining.
Yesterday the wild turkeys were scratching around by the bird feeder and Deb noticed the first fanning display by one of the males. This young male has a long road ahead of him, since prime breeding season is still a good solid two months or more from now, but I do take his first proud advertisement to the ladies as a sure sign spring is around the corner..
January 27, 2011 – 4:41 pm
In one short month, we will be turning on the heat in our greenhouses which marks the kick-off to the 2011 season. Jim Westlund, our landscape division manager, and Heidi Brosseau, our retail sales manager, are back from a few weeks of vacation and are busily preparing for another hectic, yet fun growing season.
February hours are 8 am till 4:30 pm – Monday through Friday. We’re here to answer questions, we can discuss your garden/landscape ideas and we have firewood bundles, gift certificates and tree wraps for sale.
January 9, 2011 – 5:53 pm
In January our office hours are 8:30 am to Noon, Monday through Thursday. We are usually here at other times, but during these hours someone will be at the office. We check messages several times a day. If you want to leave us a voice mail or whip out an e-mail, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
This is the time of year that we finish up our year end accounting, double check our product orders, begin hiring for the new season, and get everything ready for spring.
December 19, 2010 – 7:08 am
As you celebrate the holidays with your family and friends, we wish you all a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year. Despite the incredibly deep snow pack, we know one thing for sure – 2011 will bring a new growing season with a wealth of new plants and opportunity for creative pleasures in your gardens and ours.
- Heidi Brosseau, Darin Heilman and Jill Mischke
Thank you for your business this past season. We look forward to seeing all of our loyal customers in the spring.
- Todd Marnie, Kristin Lucas & Jim Westlund
Our landscape division extends a huge thank you to all of our installation customers this year!
- Leif & Deb Knecht
To each and everyone of you – Happy Holidays.
December 14, 2010 – 1:46 pm
We keep limited December office hours. We’re here Monday through Thursday, 9 am to Noon. We are usually here more hours than that, but you are certain to find one of us here during these hours. We are also glad to make arrangements to meet you should these hours not work! Just contact us and let us know.
October 23, 2010 – 8:19 am
The cloudy and cool conditions this weekend make for great planting conditions! This is the perfect weather for planting. We have an excellent inventory of trees, shrubs and perennials for those late season additions to your yard.
September 30, 2010 – 5:28 am
The recent historic flooding in southern Minnesota and the Northfield area obviously caused plenty of problems and dislocation. That’s the bad news and the cleanup continues. But there is good news on the fall planting front. Sub-soil moisture conditions prior to the flood were fairly dry and we now have ample sub-soil moisture and very favorable digging conditions for planting any of your landscape trees, shrubs and perennials. Soils are softer, digging will proceed more easily and the additional sub-soil moisture will be available next spring to aid with the spring growth flush. As always, remember to cut through matted roots aggressively prior to planting, plant no deeper than you find the plant in the pot and water regularly but not excessively.
